482 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. CW. LXVIII. 
the great inundation which took place in 1640. From 
this depression in the ground, the quarter of Sankore, 
which forms the northernmost angle of the city, rises 
to a considerable elevation, in such a manner, that the 
mosque of Sankore, which seems to occupy its ancient 
site and level, is at present situated in a deep hollow 
— an appearance which seems to prove that this ele- 
vation of the ground is caused by the accumulation 
of rubbish, in consequence of the repeated ruin which 
seems to have befallen this quarter pre-eminently, as 
being the chief stronghold of the native Songhay. 
The slope which this quarter forms towards the north- 
eastern end, in some spots exceeds eighty feet. 
The whole number of the settled inhabitants of the 
town amounts to about 13,000 ; while the floating 
population, during the months of the greatest traffic 
and intercourse, especially from November to January, 
may amount, on an average, to 5000, and under fa- 
vourable circumstances to as many as 10,000. Of the 
different elements composing this population, and of 
their distinguishing features, I shall say a few words 
in another place. I now revert to the diary of my 
own proceedings. 
In the evening of the next day I again went with 
the Sheikh out of the town to the tents, where we 
were to stay two days, but where we in fact spent six ; 
my friend finding himself very happy in the company 
of his wife, to whom he was sincerely attached. Not 
only my companions, but even I myself, began to find 
it rather tedious in the dull encampment, as I had 
